The Montanists

1. The Montanists By Ashurst, Louis G.R

2. In a Galaxy Not so Far Away… • Montanus a self proclaimed prophet started “Montanism” in 170 in Ardabau, Asia minor. • Influenced by previous prophets such as Marcenusand his teachings. • Montanus was joined by two women, Priscilla and Maximilla. • They preached in an “excited, unrestricted manor that offended many Christians.”

3. It’s Not That Serious Bro • Montanus preached in a very vocal, unrestrained manor. The historian Eusebius described him as possessed…Montanus believed himself to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit. • Also described to have been shunned and rebuked by Christians. • Main object of criticism was their doctrine in regards to eschatology. Montanists believed that the second coming of Christ was upon them • Jesus would appear over Pepuza near Phygria and usher in the New Jurusalem. • Montanism spread quickly through Asia Minor, Rome, North Africa but fell out of favor in the 4th century.

4. Tortilla Tertullian • Tertullian, a Carthaginian Christian author, thought that all the vigor held by the montanists, as well as separation from the material world as proof of the Holy Spirit’s presence. • Credited for bring the earliest writer to ever really reference god as “tres Personae, unaSubstancia,” meaning “three Persons, one Substance.” • Heavy attacker of heretics…teacher of Cyprian. • Never canonized by the Catholic Church.

5. The (Roman) Empire Strikes Back • Montanism primarily focused on prophecies. • Resulted in the Catholic Church re-thinking its policies on prophecies, and church authority as a whole. • Is Christianity unchangeable? Do Charismatic prophets hold more authority than church officials? • Church responded with the ‘Canon of Scripture” which all doctrines of the church would be based on.